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Body Piercing Healing Times

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General healing times for piercing sites

Each body piercing site has its own normal healing time. Common piercing sites usually heal within the general time frames listed below. Healing depends on many things, including how big the piercing is, how thick the tissue is at the site, and your ability to heal.

**Piercing site healing times**
Piercing site	Healing time
Ear cartilage (curve of ear)	2 to 4 months
Nostril (nose)	4 to 6 months
Face (this includes the earlobes, eyebrows, and lips)	6 to 8 weeks
Inside of the mouth or the tongue	3 to 6 weeks
Nipple	3 to 6 months
Vagina or penis	2 to 6 months
Belly button (navel)	Up to 6 months

A piercing may not heal as fast if it gets infected or irritated or if scar tissue forms. You may need to see your doctor if your piercing does not seem to be healing.

Related Information

Body Piercing Problems

Credits

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Last Revised	May 3, 2012

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Last Revised: May 3, 2012

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine

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